Losing weight can help kidney function
There’s a lot of scientific evidence that points to a strong link between obesity and the risk of developing or progressing chronic kidney disease (CKD). For example, a study looked into the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in different groups of people. These groups were: male, female, those younger than 43, those older than 44, those who have obesity, those who don’t have obesity, and those with a family history of renal disease. This study found that CKD was most prevalent in the group with obesity, affecting one-third (32.9%) of participants. High BMI and obesity are also associated with CKD progressing faster in those who already have issues with kidney function, too.
The good news is that it doesn't take a huge change in your weight to help protect your kidney function and overall health. In fact, losing just 10 pounds could help with high blood pressure and reduce your risk of developing diabetes or heart disease.
Blood sugar levels can affect the kidneys
Your blood sugar levels and kidney health are really closely linked. If your blood sugars stay too high for too long, they can damage your blood vessels in your kidneys by causing them to harden and narrow. When the blood vessels in your kidneys become damaged, they aren’t able to filter your blood as well as they should, which can cause waste products to build up in your bloodstream.
The active ingredient in Wegovy, semaglutide, was originally licensed as a medicine to manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. When your blood sugars are high, your body will normally produce insulin to reduce the levels of glucose in your blood. Semaglutide stimulates your body’s natural release of insulin when your blood sugars are high, so you make more insulin when you need it. It can also help to reduce how much sugar is made and sent into your bloodstream by your liver, further helping to keep your blood glucose levels in check. This should protect your kidney function from issues caused by high blood sugar levels.
Wegovy can reduce inflammation
While Wegovy is only licensed as a weight loss medication, recent evidence suggests it may also have anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is a key factor in lots of conditions and complications related to diabetes, which means Wegovy could offer extra protection for kidney function, cardiovascular health, and liver health than first thought. However, evidence for the specific mechanisms involved is still limited – and more trials and studies are needed to examine the extent of Wegovy's effect on inflammation.
